To Tuesday Magazine

The Top Five Numbers That Are Less Than Six

Any number can be said to be less than any other one. That is why math is so hard most of the time. We still don't know any more than what we knew when Aristotle walked the stony streets of ancient Greece, where two wrongs made a right triangle.

Of all the numbers that are less than six, here are the top five:

In Fifth Place is the Number Seven

This is the surprising one because it almost doesn't seem to fit the pattern, but you need to think about it. Think about it slowly, soberly, and carefully and you will see.

The Fourth Number that is Less than Six is One

No one can deny the force of this number in dealing with all those less than 6, but it is for that very reason that we rank it so low. It just tends to get overhyped and therefore is not very interesting in a mathematical or scientific sense.

The Absolute Third Number of All those Less than Six is Five

Many people put this one first, but that is only some of them. We can find statistical methods that will put this number, 5, fairly in the middle.

At Number Two is Two

A bit of a surprise, being so far less that it almost is too trite to be on the list. Number two is a small number that packs a punch.

And Finally, the Top Number that is Less than Six is Three

This one is so less that it is almost more. There are only one or two numbers that could possibly rank any higher.